GUELPH LAWYERS SMITHVALERIOTE LLP
mdwyer@smithvaleriote.com
Voice: 519 837 2100 x 295
Michelle practices in the areas of Family Law, Criminal Law, Wills and Estates and Real Estate. She represents clients in the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. She also acts regularly for the Ministry of the Attorney General as a per diem Crown Attorney at the Ontario Court of Justice - Criminal Division.
Michelle is a sessional lecturer at the University of Guelph, where she teaches in the Criminal Justice and Public Policy Program offered through the Political Science Department. Her community involvement includes service on the Victim Services Board and the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board. Michelle is also the Chair of the Board of Victory Kids’ Club.
Michelle is SmithValeriote’s Gender Diversity Officer for the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Justicia Project, a province-wide think tank aimed at identifying and adopting principles and best practices that promote the retention and advancement of women in the private practice of law.
EDUCATION
JURIS DOCTORATE 2001,University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
MASTER OF ARTS, POLITICAL SCIENCE 2000, University of British Columbia (specialization in public policy and political theory)
BACHELOR OF ARTS, POLITICAL SCIENCE 1995, University of British Columbia 1993 – 1995
University of Toronto (Trinity College) 1990 – 1992
PUBLICATIONS
“Charter Litigation: Forum and Process” in Debra McAllister & Adam Dodek, The Charter at Twenty: Law and Practice 2002 (Toronto: Canadian Bar Association, 2003) (with Christopher D. Bredt)
“Financial Experts in Family Law – Using Them Wisely: Using Them Well”, Money & Family Law, April 2002, Vol. 17, No. 4 (with Julie Hannaford)
AFFILIATIONS
Law Society of Upper Canada
Canadian Bar Association
Ontario Bar Association
Criminal Lawyers’ Association